Exit Side Tool For Makeup And Breakout Of Pipe

ABSTRACT

A tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at an exit side of a bore. The tool includes a fixed wrench assembly and a moveable wrench assembly for torqueing a pipe joint. The tool also includes a drill pipe retainer assembly that is mounted indirectly of the frame and is adapted to receive and release a pipe section. A roller assembly is provided at a special hydraulically-adjustable table to allow low-torque unthreading and threading of pipe segments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/005,275, filed on May 30, 2014, and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/094,321,file Dec. 2, 2013, which claims the benefit of provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/732,068, filed Nov. 30, 2012, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a tool that may be used inconnection with a horizontal directional drilling system, comprised of aplurality of drill pipes that are joined together at pipe joints and toa method for using such a tool. More particularly, the inventioncomprises a tool that is used to perform various functions on or withrespect to the drill pipe sections of the drill string on the exit sideof the bore.

BACKGROUND

Many utility lines, pipelines and other underground components areinstalled in or under the ground by boring a borehole in agenerally-horizontal direction in the ground rather than by digging atrench. This type of construction, which is sometimes referred to as“horizontal boring”, “directional drilling” or “horizontal directionaldrilling”, reduces the need to dig a trench in order to install anunderground component, and thereby saves several steps in theinstallation process. If no trench is dug, there will be no trench tofill, and no disturbed surface to reclaim. A directional drillingmachine may be operated to drill a bore along a planned pathunderground. Typically, the planned path is generally arcuate in shapefrom the entry point at the surface of the ground, continuing underneatha roadway, river or other obstacle, to an exit point on the surface onthe other side of the obstacle.

There are several operations that must be performed on the exit side ofthe bore where the drill string emerges from the ground. For example,the boring tool may be disconnected from the end of the drill string andthe pipe sections of the drill string may be disconnected one by onefrom the drill string. If a backreamer is used, it may be installed inplace of the boring tool. High torque is typically used in order toloosen the boring tool or a pipe section for removal from the drillstring or to install the backreamer on the drill string. Most commonly,the drill crew will use a pair of large wrenches such as pipe wrenchesor oil field tongs to remove the boring tool and each pipe section, orto install a backreamer. Frequently, the drill crew will connect thehandle of the wrench to the bucket of a hydraulic excavator using achain or strap, and then use the excavator to apply a vertical force tothe bucket while the drilling rig operator rotates the drill string toloosen the boring tool or a pipe section or to tighten the backreamer onthe end of the drill string. If the drill string is to be disassembledon the exit side, the individual pipe sections may be placed in a stackor in a pipe section magazine. These pipe sections are heavy and long,and it is labor-intensive to disconnect them manually on the exit sideof the drill site.

SUMMARY

The invention is directed to a system for the makeup and breakout ofdrill pipe. The system comprises a frame, a pair of retainers supportedon the frame, and defining a retainer axis, a first wrench supported onthe frame, and a second wrench supported on the frame and independentlymovable relative to the first wrench. The first and second wrench definea wrench axis which is not collinear to the retainer axis.

The invention is also directed to method for breakout of pipe sectionsfrom a drill string. The drill string comprises multiple pipe jointsusing a tool comprising a first wrench, a second wrench, and a retainerassembly. The method comprises pushing the drill string through theground with a drill rig located at an entry side of a borehole until atleast one pipe section extends from the ground at an exit side of theborehole. A spinner assembly is provided proximate the exit side of theborehole. The spinner assembly comprises a spinner and a tray. Thespinner assembly aligns to the drill string, and the pipe joint isgripped with the first wrench and the second wrench such that the firstwrench is located on a first side of the pipe joint and the secondwrench is located on a second side of the pipe joint. The second wrenchis rotated relative to the first wrench to break the at least one pipesection from the drill string at the pipe joint. The pipe section isrotated and spun and grasped with the retainer assembly, and removedfrom the tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling machine and adrill string having a portion beyond the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a machine supporting a tool for makingup and breaking out a pipe joint at the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2 having a drillstring within the tool.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tool for making up and breaking out adrill string at the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spinner table for use with the tool ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative spinner table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the use of horizontaldrilling machine or drill rig 20 to thrust and rotate a drill string 22to drill a bore 24 from an entry point 26 to an exit point 28. Thefollowing figures illustrate the use of a tool for use at the exit point28 to disconnect pipe sections from the drill string 22. The horizontaldrilling machine 20 may be utilized with a one-pipe or two-pipe drillstring.

A typical drill rig includes a thrust frame that can be aligned at anoblique angle with respect to the ground. Mounted on a drive carriage onthe thrust frame is a pipe-rotation mechanism that is adapted to rotateand thrust or retract the drill string 22. The drive carriage alsoincludes a carriage drive assembly that is adapted to push the carriagealong the thrust frame. The combination of rotation of the drill string22 and longitudinal movement by the drill rig 20 advances the drillstring through the ground.

As the drilling operation proceeds, the drill string 22 is lengthened byadding pipe sections to the string. The pipe sections may be providedwith a male threaded connector on one end and a female threadedconnector on the other end. Each time a pipe section is added to thedrill string, the pipe section being added is aligned with the drillstring and the threaded connector on its far end is mated with thethreaded connector on the near end of the drill string. Generally, thedrill string 22 is restrained against rotation while the pipe beingadded is rotated to engage the threaded connector on the far end of thepipe section with the threaded connector on the near end of the drillstring to create a threaded connection between the components.

When the boring tool reaches a desired depth during the drillingoperation, it can be directed along a generally horizontal path and backup to break the surface of the ground at a distant exit point 28. Tocontrol the direction of the bore 24, a boring tool with an angled-faceor a deflection member may be used. When the direction of the bore 24must be changed, the boring tool is positioned with the angled-face ordeflection member oriented to cause the tool to move in the desireddirection. This ability to change the direction of travel of the drillstring 22 also allows the operator to steer the drill string aroundunderground obstacles like large roots and rocks.

When the pilot bore 24 is complete, the boring tool is removed from thesecond end of the drill string 22, and the pipe sections aredisconnected from each other to disassemble the drill string on the exitside of the bore. In the alternative, the bore 24 may be enlarged byreplacing the boring tool with an enlarging device, commonly known as abackreamer. If a backreamer is used, it will be connected to the far ordistal end of the drill string 22 in place of the boring tool and movedthrough the pilot bore back towards the boring machine, either with orwithout rotation of the drill string. The backreamer expands andstabilizes the walls of the bore, generally while pulling a product pipeor other underground component through the enlarged bore behind it.Movement of the backreamer back towards the drilling machine isaccomplished by driving the drive carriage in a rearward direction onthe thrust frame to withdraw a pipe section, disconnecting the withdrawnpipe section from the drill string, connecting the next pipe sectionremaining in the drill string to the pipe rotation mechanism on thedrive carriage and repeating the process until all of the pipe sectionshave been withdrawn from the ground.

With reference now to FIG. 2, shown therein is an embodiment of a pipehandler, or tool 30 that may be employed at the exit point 28 of thebore to perform various functions on or with respect to the drill string22. As shown, a construction machine 32 is provided to support the tool30. For purposes of illustration, the construction machine 32 of FIG. 2is a tracked excavator. One skilled in the art will anticipate that manyconstruction machines may be adapted to provide operative force to thetool 30.

The tool 30 comprises a frame 34. The frame 34 is connected to theconstruction machine 32 by an attachment assembly 42 which will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3 below. Theattachment assembly 42 provides a pivotal connection such that the tool30 may be oriented to the drill string 22 for makeup or breakout of pipesections 80 to or from adjacent pipe sections 81.

With reference now to FIG. 3, the tool 30 is shown in greater detail.The frame 34 comprises a tubular frame component. The frame 34 comprisesa first end 38 and a second end 40. The attachment assembly 42 comprisesa base 46 pivotally mounted to the frame, and an attachment bracket 48.The frame 34 is pivoted about a first, substantially horizontal, axis 52by a cylinder 50 disposed between the base 46 and the frame. Theattachment bracket 48 serves as a mechanical connection to the machine32 (FIG. 2). The frame 34 pivots about a second axis 54 relative to theattachment bracket 48 due to operation of a cylinder 60 extendingbetween the base 46 and the attachment bracket 48. The frame 34 ismanipulated by cylinders 50, 60 such that it is substantially parallelwith a section of pipe 80 (FIG. 2) to be removed.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the frame 34 supports and providesattachment for multiple components of the tool 30. The tool 30 comprisesa first vice assembly 62, a second vice assembly 64, a first retainerassembly 66, a second retainer assembly 68, and a roller assembly 70.These assemblies work in concert to make up, or connect, and break out,or loosen, sections of pipe in accordance with the invention. The firstvice assembly 62 grips the pipe string 22 (FIG. 2) at an adjacent pipesection 81 (FIG. 2) and second vice assembly 64 grips the pipe sectionto be removed 80 (FIG. 2), with a pipe joint between the first viceassembly and second vice assembly. The first retainer assembly 66 andsecond retainer assembly 68 retain the section of pipe to be removed.The roller assembly 70 applies a rotational force to the section ofdrill pipe to be removed after the pipe joint has been loosened by thefirst and second vice assemblies 62, 64. The roller assembly 70 ismovable between an engaged and a disengaged position by actuation ofroller cylinder 140.

Bracket assemblies 72 provide attachment between the components 62, 64,66, 68, 70 of the tool and the frame 34. In one embodiment, the rollerassembly 70 and retainer assemblies 66, 68 may be detachable, or movablealong the frame 34. As shown, the bracket assemblies 72 have multipleconfigurations relative to the frame 34. The bracket assemblies 72 maybe welded to a bottom side of the frame 34, or may include a top portion73 that extends over the top of the frame 34. Further, a cap 74 may bebolted on top of the bracket assembly 72.

The first vice assembly 62 and second vice assembly 64 each comprise afirst jaw 84 and second jaw 86. First jaw 84 and second jaw 86 aremounted so as to be moveable with respect to each other between an openposition and a closed position in which the jaws may grip a pipesection. An actuator 88 is mounted on the first jaw 84 and adapted tomove the first jaw between the open position and the closed position.Similarly, an actuator 88 is mounted on the second jaw 86 and adapted tomove the second jaw between the open position and the closed position.The actuators 88 may comprise a hydraulic motor or other suitableactuator. Thus, first jaw 84 and second jaw 86 of the first viceassembly 62 will cooperate to grip a pipe section when in the closedposition.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the first vice assembly 62 is fixed andthe second vice assembly 64 is moveable with respect to the first viceassembly to apply a rotational force to a pipe section with respect toan adjacent pipe section that is gripped by the first vice assembly. Thetool 30 comprises a linear actuator 100 for moving the second viceassembly 64 relative to the first vice assembly 62. The linear actuator100 may be a hydraulic cylinder. Extension and retraction of the linearactuator 100 when the first vice assembly 62 is in the closed positionwill rotate the pipe section 80 (FIG. 2) relative to an adjacent section81 causing the pipe joint formed between these sections to loosen.

The first vice assembly 62 is shown offset from second vice assembly 64.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that second viceassembly 64 may alternatively be fixed and first vice assembly 62 may bemoveable with respect thereto. Furthermore, in another embodiment of theinvention, both vice assemblies 62, 64 may be moveable with respect toeach other to apply a rotational force to the drill string 22 (FIG. 1).Further, the vice assemblies 62, 64 are preferably movable relative tothe drill string 22 through operation of the cylinder 50 to pivot frame34 relative to the attachment bracket 48.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first retainer assembly 66 isshown. The first retainer assembly 66 comprises at least one bracketframe 102 comprising a pipe receiver opening 104 and a pair ofdownwardly depending legs 110 and 112 that may be angled outwardly asthey extend from the pipe receiver opening. As shown, the first retainerassembly 66 comprises two bracket frames 102. The first retainerassembly 66 further comprises a first retainer arm 114 that is pivotallyattached to the bracket frame 102 and adapted to be moved between anopen position that will allow a drill pipe section to be received inpipe receiver opening 104 and a closed position (as shown) that retainsthe pipe section 80 in the opening. As shown, the first retainer arm 114includes two components that move parallel to one another. The firstretainer arm 114 is controlled by a first retainer actuator 116. Asshown, the first retainer actuator 116 is a hydraulic cylinder. Thefirst retainer assembly 66 may also comprise a second retainer arm 120.The second retainer arm 120 is likewise pivotally attached to thebracket frame 102 and is adapted to be moved between an open positionand a closed position. A second actuator 122 likewise moves the secondretainer arm 120 between the open position and the closed position.

The second retainer assembly 68 is shown with identical components asthe first retainer assembly 66, spaced apart from the first retainerassembly to provide two retaining locations for the pipe section 80. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first 66 andsecond 68 retainer assemblies may be given different locations along theframe 34. As shown, the second retainer assembly 68 is proximate thesecond end 40 of the frame 34. Further, it is anticipated that thefunctions of the tool 30 may be performed with only one retainerassembly.

The roller assembly 70 comprises a means for rotating the pipe section80 that is held in the first retainer assembly 66 and in the secondretainer assembly 68 about a long axis of the pipe section. The rollerassembly 70 may be used to rotate the drill pipe section 80 to engagethe threads or disengage the threads of the threaded connectors of drillpipe section 81. In the embodiments shown herein, limited radial extentof the rotational force that second vice assembly 64 would require thatsecond vice assembly grip, twist and release the pipe section 80multiple times to disconnect it from the drill string. The rollerassembly 70 is provided to overcome this limitation.

The roller assembly 70 comprises first roller jaw 130 comprising a firstroller 134 and second roller jaw 132 comprising a second roller 136.Each of first roller jaw 130 and second roller jaw 132 is pivotallymounted with respect to the frame 34. Preferably, each roller jaw 130,132 comprises a plurality of rollers that are rotationally driven. Theroller assembly 70 further comprises a motor 138 to rotate the rollers134, 136. As shown in FIG. 5, a motor 138 is utilized proximate eachroller jaw 130, 132 to rotate the rollers 134, 136. The motors 138 mayrotate the first and second rollers 134, 136 so as to impart a spin tothe pipe section, thereby disengaging pipe section 80 from section 81. Afirst roller linear actuator 140 pivots first roller jaw 130 withrespect to the frame 34. A second roller linear actuator (not shown) maybe provided to pivot the second roller jaw 132 with respect to the frame34. It is also possible that roller assembly 70 may be operated toimpart a tightening spin to a pipe section or other component on theexit side of the bore by rotating the first and second rollers in theopposite direction to that which is used to disengage the pipe section80.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the tool 30 further comprises acontrol valve assembly 150 that is connected to an auxiliary hydrauliccircuit (not shown) of construction machine 32 (FIG. 2), that may beused to control the various pipe gripping and torque requirements forthe operation of the first and second vice assemblies 62, 64, the firstand second retainer assemblies 66, 68, and the roller assembly 70.Preferably, a pressure reducer is provided to keep control valveassembly 150 from receiving hydraulic fluid at a pressure higher thanabout 3000 psi from the construction machine 32 (FIG. 2).

Control valve assembly 150 may include a radio control receiver that isoperatively connected to the hydraulic actuators 88, 116, 122, 140 ofthe tool 30 and the cylinders 50, 60 (FIG. 3). The radio controlreceiver is adapted to communicate with remote controller (not shown)for remote operation of the tool 30.

While the majority of this description describes using the tool 30 forthe purpose of removing, or breaking out, sections of pipe from thedrill string 22, one of ordinary skill could envision the oppositepurpose. For example, after a drill bit (not shown) used for primaryboring operations is removed from the exit point 28 of the bore 24 andremoved from the drill string 22, a backreamer or other tool can beprovided to the drill string. This is accomplished by “making up” thedrill string 22 using the tool 30. As shown in FIG. 5, a pipe section 80to be added may be held in the retainer assemblies 66, 68. The rollerassembly 70 may provide rotational force to cause the pipe section 80 tobe threaded to the pipe string 22 at the adjacent pipe section 81. Theconnection is then completed through by gripping the adjacent pipesection 81 with the first vice 62, while using the second vice 64 toprovide a rotational force to torque the connection.

With reference now to FIG. 6, shown therein is an alternative embodimentof a pipe handler, or tool 200 that may be employed at the exit point 18of the bore to perform various functions on or with respect to the drillstring 22 (FIG. 2).

The tool 200 comprises a frame 202. The frame 202 is connected to theconstruction machines 32 (FIG. 2) by an attachment assembly 42 aspreviously described with reference to FIG. 3. The attachment assembly42 provides a pivotal connection to construction machine 32 (FIG. 2)such that the tool 200 may be properly oriented to the drill string 22for makeup or breakout of pipe sections 80 to or from adjacent pipesections 81 (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment assembly 42 comprises a base 46pivotally mounted to the frame, an attachment bracket 48 for quickattach to the construction machines (such as the arm of an excavator), afirst cylinder 180, and a second cylinder 182. The attachment bracket 48serves as a mechanical connection to the machine 32 (FIG. 2). The base46 is pivotally attached to the attachment bracket 48 about axis 54, andpivotally attached to the frame 202 about axis 52. The first cylinder180 is attached at a first end to the tool 200 and at a second end tothe construction machine 32 (FIG. 2). Operation of the first cylinder180 manipulates the tilt of the frame 202, particularly to switchbetween retaining and wrench operations, as will be described below. Thesecond cylinder 182 extends between the base 46 and attachment bracket48 and pivots the frame 202 about the second axis 54, rotating the frame202 relative to the attachment bracket 48. With reference now to FIG. 7,the attachment assembly 42 further comprises a third cylinder 184extending between the base 46 and the frame 202. The third cylinder 184extends between the base 46 and the frame 202 to pivot the framerelative to first axis 52.

With reference again to FIG. 6, the frame 202 comprises an arm assembly204. The arm assembly 204 supports a wrench assembly 206, a firstretainer assembly 208 and a second retainer assembly 210. The firstretainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 are attached at afirst end 212 of the arm assembly 204. As shown, the first end 212 ofthe arm assembly 204 comprises three supports 214. Each of the supports214 may define an aperture 216 for reducing the weight of the armassembly 204 without sacrificing structural integrity.

The first retainer assembly 208 comprises both fixed tines 220 andmovable tines 222. The fixed tines 220 provide a channel defining aretainer axis 252 to allow the pipe section to be correctly positionedwithin the first retainer assembly 208. The movable tines 222 aremovable between an open position and a closed position, such that a pipesection may be held in the first retainer assembly 208 when the movabletines are in the closed position. The second retainer assembly 210similarly comprises fixed tines 220 and movable tines 222 that may beindependently or cooperatively operated with the first retainer assembly208 between an open position and a closed position.

The wrench assembly 206 comprises a first wrench 226 and a second wrench228 (FIG. 7). One of the first wrench 226 and the second wrench 228 ismovable relative to the other to apply a rotational motion to a pipesection with respect to an adjacent pipe section. As shown, the firstwrench 226 is a fixed wrench and the second wrench 228 is rotatablerelative to the first wrench as shown in the previous embodiment withreference to FIG. 4. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that acylinder or other linear actuator may be utilized to rotate the secondwrench 228 as disclosed in FIG. 4.

With reference again to FIG. 7, the second wrench 228 is shown. Thefirst wrench 226 and second wrench 228 define a wrench axis 250. Thefirst retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 define theretainer axis 252. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wrenchaxis 250 and the retainer axis 252 are not collinear. As shown, wrenchaxis 250 and retainer axis 252 are parallel, though one of skill in theart will appreciate that other configurations of the first retainerassembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 may be contemplated. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the wrench axis and the retainer axisare collinear.

With reference now to FIG. 8, the first wrench 226 is shown in crosssection. The first wrench 226 is supported on the frame 202 andcomprises a first jaw 230, a second jaw 232 and a third jaw 234. Thefirst jaw 230 and the second jaw 232 are each advanced by a linearactuator 88 such as a ram or cylinder. The third jaw 234 may not beactuated by a linear actuator, as shown in FIG. 7, but may provide athird gripping location for the first wrench 226. The first jaw 230 andthe second jaw 232 cooperate to grip a pipe section that is locatedtherebetween the first jaw, the second jaw, and the third jaw 234. Thesecond wrench 238 (FIG. 8) may be similarly formed with a first, secondand third jaw.

With reference now to FIGS. 9-10, a spinner assembly 300 is showntherein. The spinner assembly 300 comprises a frame 302, a spinnersubstructure 304, and a wrench storage 306. The frame provides unitarysupport for the wrench storage 306 (FIG. 9) and spinner substructure 304for ease of transportation, though one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that this arrangement is not strictly necessary. The spinnersubstructure 304 provides a low-torque assembly for making up andbreaking out sections of pipe from a pipe string in cooperation with thehigh-torque function of the wrench assembly 206 (FIG. 6). The wrenchstorage 306 comprises a cylindrical rest 308 for placement of the wrenchassembly 206 (FIG. 6) when not in use or disconnected from theconstruction machines 32 (FIG. 2).

The spinner substructure 304 comprises a first support tray 314, asecond support tray 316, a plurality of spinners 318, a table actuator320, and a pivot connection 322. The first support tray 314 and thesecond support tray 316 provide locations for adjacent pipe sections(not shown) to rest when the spinner substructure 304 is in operation.The spinners 318 are provided to rotate a distal pipe section relativeto a drill string 22 (FIG. 1), threading or unthreading the pipesection. The spinners 318 may be moved between an engaged and disengagedposition by spinner cylinder 324 (FIG. 9). Alternatively, the spinnercylinder 324 could be a jackscrew or other linear actuator. The spinners318 and spinner cylinder 324 may traverse the spinner substructure 304along a shuttle arm 350 (FIG. 10) to move with a pipe section as it isbeing spun.

Likewise, the table actuator 320 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder orother linear actuator. The table actuator 320 manipulates the spinnersubstructure 304 about the pivot connection 322 to match an exit angleof an exit side pipe such that the exit side pipe is supported on thefirst 314 and second 316 support tray. The first 314 and second 316support tray may be fixed relative to one another, or may be movablerelative to one another by several means, including hydraulicallytelescoping a frame element 326 of the spinner substructure 304. Asshown in FIG. 10, a third support tray 327 may be utilized to supportpipe sections.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the frame 302 of thespinner assembly 300 may include and support a power pack (not shown) topower the table actuator 320, spinners 318, and other dedicated elementsof the spinner assembly. Additionally, a power pack may be utilized topower elements of the tool 200 (FIGS. 6-8) when power from theconstruction machines 32 (not shown) is not provided.

With reference to FIGS. 6-10, in operation, a drill string 22 exits abore hole at an exit point 28 (FIG. 1). The spinner table 300 is placedproximate the exit point 28 and manipulated by the table actuator 320such that the spinner substructure 304 is appropriately aligned with thedrill string 22. The wrench assembly 206 is manipulated to be placedover the pipe section such that the first wrench 226 is on a first sideand the second wrench 228 is on a second side of a pipe joint. The firstwrench 226 and second wrench 228 are actuated, and the second wrench isrotated relative to the first wrench to break the tension of the pipejoint. The plurality of spinners 318 then are moved from the disengagedto the engaged position. The spinners 318, when engaged, spin the distalpipe section to fully unthread the distal pipe section from the adjacentpipe section. The unthreaded pipe section is then supported by the firstsupport tray 314 and the first retainer assembly 208 and second retainerassembly 210 are placed over the unthreaded section such that thesection is along the retainer axis. The first 208 and second 210retainer assemblies are moved from the open position to the closedposition such that the unthreaded section is held by the tool 200 andcan be moved to storage (not shown). One of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that these steps may be repeated reversed to make upsections of pipe string.

Although this description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for the makeup and breakout of drillpipe comprising: a tool frame; a pair of retainers supported on theframe, the pair of retainers defining a retainer axis; a first wrenchsupported on the frame; and a second wrench supported on the frame andindependently movable relative to the first wrench; wherein the firstand second wrench define a wrench axis which is not collinear to theretainer axis.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a spinnerassembly comprising: a spinner frame; a plurality of spinners supportedon the spinner frame; a tray proximate the plurality of spinners; ameans for tilting the tray and plurality of spinners relative to theframe.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the spinner assembly furthercomprises a wrench storage support.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein theplurality of spinners are movable between an engaged position and adisengaged position relative to the tray.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein the plurality of spinners are movable due to operation of ahydraulic cylinder.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool frame isrotatably and tiltably connected to a construction machine.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the tool frame is rotated relative to theconstruction machine by a cylinder.
 8. A tool for making up and breakingout a pipe joint on the exit side of a bore and attachable to aconstruction machine, said tool comprising: a frame comprising a firstend and a second end and pivotable relative to the constructionmachines; a first wrench assembly and a second wrench assembly mountedproximate the first end of the frame, each adapted to grip a pipesection on opposing sides of a pipe joint distal from an entry side ofthe bore, the first wrench assembly and second wrench assembly defininga wrench axis; wherein the second wrench assembly is moveable withrespect to the first wrench assembly; and a retainer assembly supportedat the second end of the frame and adapted to hold a pipe section, theretainer assembly defining a retainer axis; wherein the wrench axis andretainer axis are not collinear.
 9. The tool of claim 8 wherein theframe is pivoted by a cylinder.
 10. The tool of claim 8 wherein thewrench axis and retainer axis are parallel.
 11. The tool of claim 8wherein the frame is pivotable about three pivot axes relative to theconstruction machines.
 12. The tool of claim 8 wherein the retainerassembly comprises movable tines and fixed tines.
 13. The tool of claim8 wherein the first wrench assembly comprises two movable jaws.
 14. Thetool of claim 13 wherein the first wrench assembly further comprises onestationary jaw.
 15. A method for breakout of pipe sections from a drillstring comprising multiple pipe joints using a tool comprising a firstwrench, a second wrench, and a retainer assembly, the method comprising:pushing the drill string through the ground with a drill rig located atan entry side of a borehole until a pipe section extends from the groundat an exit side of the borehole; providing a spinner assembly proximatethe exit side of the borehole, the spinner assembly comprising a spinnerand a tray; aligning the spinner assembly to the pipe section; grippinga pipe joint between the pipe section and an adjacent pipe section withthe first wrench and the second wrench such that the first wrench islocated on a first side of the pipe joint and the second wrench islocated on a second side of the pipe joint; rotating the second wrenchrelative to the first wrench to break the at least one pipe section fromadjacent pipe section; releasing the at least one pipe section; spinningthe at least one pipe section with the spinner; grasping the at leastone pipe section with the retainer assembly; and removing the at leastone pipe section from the tray.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereingripping the pipe joint with the first wrench comprises extending twojaws to contact the first side of the pipe joint
 17. The method of claim15 further comprising moving the spinner into an engaged position usinga linear actuator prior to spinning the at least one pipe section withthe spinner.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising: adding a newpipe section to the tray with the retainer assembly; spinning the atleast one new pipe section onto the adjacent pipe section; gripping theadjacent pipe section with the first wrench and the new pipe sectionwith the second wrench such that the first wrench is located on a firstside of a new pipe joint and the second wrench is located on a secondside of the new pipe joint; and rotating the second wrench relative tothe first wrench to provide a torqued-up connection between the adjacentpipe section and the new pipe section.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein the new pipe section is connected to a backreamer.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 further comprising backreaming the borehole.